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High scalability and quick deployability of solar photovoltaic (PV) make it an ideal candidate for rapid decarbonization of electricity. The typical SPV generation profile and power grids designed for conventional power plants (PP) are the major obstacles to maximizing SPV utilization. While energy storage systems (ESS) are often deemed critical, scalable ESS are site-limited, highly dependent on rare-earth elements, and either have higher embodied energy and emissions or low round-trip efficiencies. This manuscript demonstrates that by strategically interconnecting SPV power plants longitudinally, PV can meet base load demands and extend availability beyond peak-solar hours, thereby reducing the need for ESS and replacing existing carbon-intensive electricity infrastructure. It is demonstrated by modelling two 12 GW longitudinally separated transmission lines interconnecting SPVPPs situated 40° (case-1) and 90° (case-2) apart can provide PV electricity beyond solar hours for 4.69 and 7.33 equivalent hours (daily average), respectively. For cases 1 and 2, the lithium battery-ESS route can result in 4.76 and 3.35 times more carbon emissions and cost 4.23 and 2.98 times more than the transmission route, respectively, for providing the same energy over the transmission line's 40-year lifespan. Technologies such as multi-terminal ultra-high-voltage-DC grids, hybrid superconductive cables, new semiconductor materials for PV and energy systems, etc. are explored for the globally interconnected solar grid. Findings suggest 90 TWp of PV capacity can supply a significant portion of world's energy demand by 2050. This study outlines a comprehensive approach to build a sustainable and interconnected global solar energy infrastructure that aligns with climate objectives.

This study addresses the objectives currently being pursued through regional power connectivity across Asia. The study contributes to the literature on energy regionalism and serves as a basis for further analysis in Asia as new regional power connectivity initiatives are proposed from China, among others. Results reveal the different weights for each of the objectives, highlighting the importance of economic factors. However, we also find that political, technical, social, and environmental goals are considered high priorities. We discuss the importance of balancing all these goals, and how the existence of multiple power connectivity initiatives can contribute to this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric interconnection is an essential trend for future large-scale development and utilization of renewable energy. China has proposed the concept of Global Energy Interconnection to realize the clean utilization of energy through the interconnection of power grids and optimize the allocation of global energy resources. This study proposes the Kazakhstan-China-Republic of Korea networking scheme, analyzing the characteristics of power supply and demand in these countries. Based on the regional economic analysis and power development, four interconnection schemes are proposed utilizing UHVDC technology. Accordingly, existing problems and favorable factors are fully considered. The investment analysis of ± 1100 kV and ± 800 kV lines, configuration scheme of the converter station, and investment estimation of four interconnection schemes are given.

There has been an intense discussion on the energy infrastructure cooperation in Northeast Asia. Most studies have focused on the technical feasibility of grid interconnection, deployment of renewable energy, and have ignored the quantitative analysis of social and economic benefits of these proposals. This study uses a computable general equilibrium model to evaluate the effects of energy interconnection in Northeast Asia. Key model development tasks include 1) constructing a new nesting structure, 2) econometrically estimating the constant elasticities of substitution (CES) between fossil- and non-fossil-power generation bundles, 3) developing a new base-case scenario, and 4) developing the policy scenario. We found that while Northeast Asia will benefit from energy interconnection development with higher GDP than in the base-case; there will be a trade-off between higher investment and lower consumption. Sector results and environmental implications in this region are also discussed.

In order to quantify the contribution of the mitigation strategies, an extended Kaya identity has been proposed in this paper for decomposing the various factors that influence the CO2 emission. To this end, we provided a detailed decomposition of the carbon intensity and energy intensity, which enables the quantification of clean energy development and electrification. The logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) has been applied to the historical data to quantify the contributions of the various factors affecting the CO2 emissions. Further, the global energy interconnection (GEI) scenario has been introduced for providing a systematic solution to meet the 2°C goal of the Paris Agreement. By combining LMDI with the scenario analysis, the mitigation potential of the various factors for CO2 emission has been analyzed. Results from the historical data indicate that economic development and population growth contribute the most to the increase in CO2 emissions, whereas improvement in the power generation efficiency predominantly helps in emission reduction. A numerical analysis, performed for obtaining the projected future carbon emissions, suggests that clean energy development and electrification are the top two factors that can decrease CO2 emissions, thus showing their great potential for mitigation in the future. Moreover, the carbon capture and storage technology serves as an important supplementary mitigation method.

The challenge of worldwide energy decarbonization is crucial to ensure sustainable development. The achievement of decarbonization encompasses not only a considerable exploitation of renewable energy sources, but also a paradigm shift in final energy uses towards their massive electrification. Electrification based on Global Energy Interconnections (GEI) is one of the possible pathways towards decarbonization in energy systems. In this paper, we critically discuss the idea of decarbonization through global interconnections in an ‘electricity based’ world, contrasting it against the typically desirable attributes for energy in terms of security, efficiency, sustainability, and affordability. We provide a comparative analysis of global interconnection with other internationally proposed visions of future energy scenarios. The analysis shows that the GEI option could be particularly beneficial from an environmental point of view; however, it requests deep and relevant modifications in the energy markets and regulations, in which a common framework based on the cooperation among different countries is needed.

The challenge of worldwide energy decarbonization is crucial to ensure sustainable development. The achievement of decarbonization encompasses not only a considerable exploitation of renewable energy sources, but also a paradigm shift in final energy uses towards their massive electrification. Electrification based on Global Energy Interconnections (GEI) is one of the possible pathways towards decarbonization in energy systems. In this paper, we critically discuss the idea of decarbonization through global interconnections in an ‘electricity based’ world, contrasting it against the typically desirable attributes for energy in terms of security, efficiency, sustainability, and affordability. We provide a comparative analysis of global interconnection with other internationally proposed visions of future energy scenarios. The analysis shows that the GEI option could be particularly beneficial from an environmental point of view; however, it requests deep and relevant modifications in the energy markets and regulations, in which a common framework based on the cooperation among different countries is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]